Costume Construction with Textiles Design for THE TIGER’S BRIDE by Angela Carter.
I challenged myself in designing and creating a full-body tiger costume; and a floor-length, embroidered robe intended to be removed mid-performance to reveal the multi-textured patchwork body of the tiger underneath.
I took interest in the fairy-tale genre and how Carter linked this to feminism, I am a keen writer and researcher with a strong interest in text and character analysis, historical and cultural references, and metaphor that lie behind costume design.
The text evolves around the themes of growth, transformation, revelation, and self-acceptance. I subtly referred to yonic and phallic symbols on the decoration of the Beast’s robe using goldwork and embroidered motifs attached with appliqué. I created ornate designs using hand embroidery, beading and goldwork and by utilizing digital design software and the AMAYA embroidery machine in my costume and supporting textiles work.
I stepped into the realm of costume prop-making for off-the-body pieces such as removable paws, a tailpiece, and headpiece in plastazote, cut entirely from my own pattern. I also experimented with resin and upholstery foam to create these pieces and am interested to explore this avenue of costume in future projects.
